Pillar-step



(No Model.)

G. E. MILLER.

PILLAR STEP.

Patented Jan. 11, 1887.

Lilhugraphnr. Wmlhinglon. D. c,

UNITED STATES.

PATENT @FFICE.

CHARLES EQMILLER, OF SGRANTON, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND EDWIN J.MACDONALD, OF MOOSIG, PENNSYLVANIA.

PlLLAR-STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 355,701, dated January11, 1887.

Application filed August 10. 1886. Serial No. 210,497. No model.)

To all whoin it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. MILLER, of Scranton,'Lackawanna county,in the State of Pennsylvania, have inventeda certain new andusefulImprovement in Pillar-Steps for WVooden Buildings, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention is adapted to apply to buildings of varioussizes and forvarious purposes in which wooden pillars are employed. I will describeit as applied to the piazza columns of an ordinarydwelling-house.

I support the wooden pillar on a strong, short metallic step, withprovisions for leaving I 5 a cavity between the other portions of thebase of the post and the supporting material below. I also provide forleading away any water which may be received in this cavity. It affordsa strong and reliable support, with the wood portion of the pillar heldup out of contact with the wet. The invention also facilitates relayingthe floor without disturbing the column whenever such shall becomenecessary. I propose in all ordinary cases to make the step of cast-ironin two pieces, the lowermost being equipped to center the standard and.

also to receive and conduct away any water which may reach this point.The upper and main portion engages in a hole bored upward 0in about thecenter line of the pillar. The

casting is formed with a corresponding pivottenon, which engages in thishole and with a broad flange, which affords a firm bearing for the baseof the pillar.

5 The following is a description of what Iconsider the best means ofcarryingout the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

0 Figure l is a vertical section illustrating the invention. Fig. 2 is aduplex view showing the shoe in top plan and side elevation,respectively.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre- 5 sponding parts in boththe figures where they occur.

A is the pillar, which may be of Georgia pine or any other suitablewood, round, square, octagonal, or of any other suitable section,

finished plainly or elaborately.

B indicates the sills or supporting-timbers, which may rest on anunderpinning of stone, or any other substantial support. (Not shown.)

I recess into or otherwise firmly support upon the timbers B a shoe, D,certain portions of which are indicated by additional marks, as D D DThis shoe is preferably of cast-iron. It is of sufficient area toproperly distribute the load upon a'sufficient portion of the sill. D isa conical elevation in the center; D a rim around the edge, and D aspout adapted to lead away water. I rest the pillar A and itssuperincumbent load upon this shoe D, through the medium of a metallicst ep, E, which is of smaller diameter, and affords a clear space orcavity, h. Specific portions of the step E will be designated, whennecessary, by additional marks, as E E". The lower end, E, is pointed,to aid in centering it upon the recess-cone D. Above this is an extendedhorizontal flange, E The upper face is flat and of sufficient area toafford a firm bearing for the wood, which it is understood has beensawed oft square.

E is a long tenon, slightlytapered, as shown. It is matched in a holebored to a slightly greater length in the line of the axis of the columnA. l I

M M, &c., are the boards which form the upper surfaceof the door. Theyshould match as closely as may be against the base of the post A, butthey should not extend under.

O are ornamental pieces of wood, applied to form an ornamental base forthe pillar The weight supported on the pillar is trans- 8 5 mitteddirectly from the ends of the grain of the wood to the stout flange EThrough this and the metal E the strain is transmitted to the center ofthe basecasting D. Any water arriving at this point, either by comingdown 0 the pillar within or without the base-pieces .O or traversingalong on the floor-boards M, can escape freely from the cavity h. Incase the floor-timber B, which supports the casting D, is narrower thanthe cavity h, the water may 5 escape, and air may circulate through theaperture thus provided. However that may be, D serves to lead away anywater which may tend to remain near the central portion of the cavity.r00

The casting E holds the base of the wooden pillar A at such an elevationthat no water can be absorbed by capillary attraction.

The invention provides for a free circulation of air and the nearlyabsolute exclusion of water from the timber.

Modifications may be madein the forms and proportions within widelimits. The part E may be made longer, care being taken to bore theholes of a corresponding and slightly greater length; or the part E maybe shortened considerably.

I claim as my inventionl. The wood pillar A, in combination with theflooring M, and with a metallic step, as E, and with a suitable supportbelow, arranged to provide a cavity, h, under the base of A, as and forthe purposes herein specified.

2. The shoe D, having a central conical recess, D, and provisions, asthe rim D and 20 O. E. MILLER,

Vi tnesses:

JOHN G. McAsKm, W. W. LATHROPE-

